California halibut Paralichthys californicus
8 of 25worth the trip today
Best right now at Santa Cruz Main Beach, California. Water is inside the 55–72° range California halibut like at 13 of the 22 spots with a live reading.
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About California halibut
The signature flatfish of the California coast — a sandy-bottom ambush predator drift-fished with live bait or bounced with jigs along beaches, bays, and channel edges. Bites best on a moving tide.
Paralichthys californicus, family Paralichthyidae.
California halibut, spot by spot
All 25 spots with California halibut in season, scored for California halibut, best first.
67° water · 6 mph wind · incoming tide
67° water · 10 mph wind · incoming tide
72° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
68° water · 10 mph wind
68° water · 10 mph wind
68° water · 5 mph wind
72° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
72° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
74° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
74° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
72° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
72° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
68° water · 10 mph wind
72° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
72° water · 15 mph wind · outgoing tide
15 mph wind · outgoing tide
74° water · 15 mph wind · outgoing tide
74° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
74° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
74° water · 10 mph wind · outgoing tide
76° water · 20 mph wind · outgoing tide
6 mph wind · incoming tide
75° water · 15 mph wind · outgoing tide
The water they want
California halibut feed from about 55° to 72°F and best near 64°. Each pin is one spot’s water right now, from NOAA and USGS gauges; 13 of 22 are inside the range.
How they feed
- Water55–72°F, best near 64°
- TideIncoming
- MoonEither
- DepthUsually 4–60 ft
- Active monthsMar–Oct
Scored against their own temperature range and tide preference first, then wind, weather and warnings. Solunar periods only break ties. How the score works
Keep or release
- California22" minimum · 5 a day22" total length minimum. 5/person/day south of Point Sur (Monterey County); 2/day north of it. Open year-round.Pacific waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source · 17 days since checked
Rules change, and they differ by state and often by water. Each spot page shows the limits for its own water. California halibut are fished at spots in 1 state: California.
Waters with their own rules
These waters set limits for California halibut that differ from the rest of their state.
Fished in the same water
Species people target at the same spots as California halibut, and how they’re doing today.
Barred surfperchAmphistichus argenteus5 of 19 spots worth the trip
Best now at Santa Cruz Main Beach, CA94
Bites in 50–68° water
Kelp bassParalabrax clathratus1 of 7 spots worth the trip
Best now at Redondo Beach, CA92
Bites in 60–74° water
RockfishSebastes spp.1 of 18 spots worth the trip
Best now at Sitka, AK88
Bites in 45–58° water
LingcodOphiodon elongatus1 of 15 spots worth the trip
Best now at Sitka, AK88
Bites in 45–58° water